Heading to Rome this summer for less than a week and want to visit the Vatican Museum when it won't be hideously crowded. (I know: I oughta go now, then.)

Has anyone here ever visited the museum during the evening hours when they are open til 9:30 or so? Is that a decent time to go?

We went for the night tour at the end of May. While a good amount of people were there, we didn't have the mobs. Of course, I don't know if it will be worse in the summer or if there is a maximum amount of people allowed. Not sure if you can go at night without a tour. We booked ours through the Vatican website.

I went on a tour on a Friday night... twice. I loved it because of the fewer crowds and the interesting lighting.